Centauri back in title hunt

Falcons host Limon in Class 1A semifinals

By larry lopez
the pueblo chieftain

Published: November 14, 2013;Last modified: November 14, 2013 09:46AM

It was a young Centauri High School football team that learned the rigors of playing in the state playoffs in 2012, failing to make it past the opening round when state champion Cedaredge clubbed the Falcons 55-14.

Centauri is back, a year older and wiser, for another shot at the 1A playoffs and finds itself a game away from the championship final.

First, Centauri (10-1) must get past unbeaten Limon (11-0) in a semifinal clash set for 1 p.m. Saturday in La Jara. The Falcons’ only loss was a 20-19 setback to Class 2A Lamar in their second game of the season.

“We found out how hard it is to win in the playoffs, especially on the road,” Centauri coach Kyle Forster said of last year’s first-round playoff loss.

The Falcons also knew they would return most of their team this season. “We lost four (seniors) overall and return nine starters on both sides of the ball,” Forster said. “We are junior heavy, which makes me feel happy for next year.

“We knew what we could do this year. We’ve tried to maximize the kids’ ability to where they are right now.”

As far as Forster can remember, this will be the third time Centauri has advanced this far in the playoffs, previously reaching the semifinals in 1992 and 1993.

He said Limon relies heavily on quarterback Gavin Liggett, a double threat who has rushed for 1,213 yards (11-yard average per carry), passed for 923 yards and accounted for 27 touchdowns.

“Their quarterback is a stud, he’s what makes them run,” Forster said. “He runs the option very well and can throw the football.”

“It’s been fun with those two. Aziz is a big kid and Buhr is our slash back,” Forster said. “We try to be pretty even (running and passing attack) but with those two, it’s pretty hard not to run.”

Buhr has gained 1,060 yards, including 16 touchdowns, and Aziz 884 yards with 13 TDs so far this season. Buhr also is one of the Falcons’ top pass receivers with 25 catches for 492 yards and another six touchdowns.

Junior quarterback JC Jarvies, a three-year starter, directs Centauri’s offensive attack. Jarvies has passed for 1,494 yards and 18 touchdowns to give the Falcons some balance to their attack. His top receiver has been senior Clay McCarroll with 29 catches for 582 yards and seven TDs, followed by Buhr (25) and junior Mitch Wilson (22).

“All these kids play for each other and give credit where it’s due … our offensive line makes all this happen,” Forster said.